His voice sounds like a 13 year old girl... so, yes, he can replace Goucher.
Actually, Rupp sounds exactly how I thought he would sound. Plus, keep in mind that he was educated at the University of Oregon, which I believe is one of the "public ivy" universities. To wit, a public ivy is a top rated school that is not one of the 8 ivy league schools but is still a high quality university. This looks good on Galen.
Today was my first time hearing Galen Rupp as a commentator. I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised. He was pretty good - not great, but definitely not bad at all.
I do have to disagree with a couple of posters upthread who I think are overselling how good he is at it. I don't think he's as good or polished as Kara Goucher, or quite ready for major broadcasts yet. For example, he did sort of trip over his tongue at one point, and apologized for it. You have to keep in mind the question, what would you think of his commentating if he was someone you had never heard of? Yes, I get that part of the reason he is on there is because he is Galen Rupp, and some people want to hear his specific insights based on his personal experience, but that only goes so far - to be an asset to NBC's team, you would have to appeal to people who don't know who you are, or maybe recognize your name but don't know/care much about your running resume.
But having said that, I'm rooting for him to keep at it, and wouldn't be surprised if he is able to up his game in the future.
Kara talks a bit or a lot too much.
I understand her passion for the sport, which she knows well, but Rupp is a lot like the running sports' Gus Johnson.
He adds important commentary and enthusiasm at the right times.
Although nobody anywhere at any time can duplicate Johnson's Jamal Agnew call lol
1. Rupp is a knowledgeable color commentator and has stage presence, should deepen his voice and shoot for the big league
2. Much MORE impressed by the camera crew and broadcast controller. Drone views make this more watchable, as do intelligent placement of multiple cameras on screen. That was a good show!
3. I always hated those short stocky guys who always won XC. They don't look fast, even when they are going fast. Kenyans who can run this pace in marathons left behind. Gimli was wrong, this is what dwarves are good at.
4. Looks like all 6 runners who wanted to finish in the top 6 were successful. Noone else tried very hard. Cooper Tear sucked. Woody Kincaid sucked.
Rupp's commentary really is outstanding. Knowledgeable and well spoken.
It's shocking as he wasn't a very good interview, but maybe that was because he came of age as a teenager and was constantly tied at the hip with Salazar so he was weary of speaking to the press.
All the commentators tend to intellectualize running and present the (false) picture that the runners are strategizing the entire time during the race.
Rupp's commentary really is outstanding. Knowledgeable and well spoken.
It's shocking as he wasn't a very good interview, but maybe that was because he came of age as a teenager and was constantly tied at the hip with Salazar so he was weary of speaking to the press.
He used to be a terrible interview but I feel he's much better now, no?
Agreed on the Salazar connection seeming to be the issue. As soon as they split and he started working with Mike Smith, it felt like he started being more open and less "scripted" - and that showed how insightful he could be. I noticed this in interviews starting in ~2021
All the commentators tend to intellectualize running and present the (false) picture that the runners are strategizing the entire time during the race.
Any number of the UK presenters are better than any Americans. But let me throw out the name of Hannah England who has been doing a superb job on the Diamond League broadcasts. She has depth through all of the events. The only American who I could say that about would be Dwight Stones.
Any number of the UK presenters are better than any Americans. But let me throw out the name of Hannah England who has been doing a superb job on the Diamond League broadcasts. She has depth through all of the events. The only American who I could say that about would be Dwight Stones.